This Scandinavian endemic plant has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of less than 5,000 km² and the area of occupancy (AOO) is less than 500 km². It is globally known from six to seven locations in Norway and two in Sweden. It has been estimated that the Swedish and Norwegian populations have around 2,000 mature individuals. In Sweden, the population trend is stable and there are no threats whereas in Norway, climate change and raising temperature have led the habitat and the species to decline. It is therefore assessed as Vulnerable at European and global level.

In the EU 27, the species is only found in Sweden, where the extent of occurrence is 73 km² and the area of occupancy is probably 20 km². It is found at two localities with 1,000 mature individuals in total. But the populations have a stable trend and there are no current threats to this species. Therefore, it is assessed as Near Threatened (B1a+B2a; D1).

Its EOO in Sweden is 73 km² (Commission of the European Communities 2009). The AOO for Sweden is probably 20 km². In Norway, the EOO is less than 5,000 km² and the AOO is less than 500 km² (Artsdatabanken 2010). As the numbers in Sweden are quite low, it is suspected that for both countries the EOO and AOO fall below the same threshold.

The species is globally known from six to seven locations in inner Troms and two in Sweden (Artsdatabanken 2010). The Norwegian localities are in Balsfjord (Sohtungaisi), Målselv (Isdal Mountains) and Storfjord (Favresvarri, Markusfjellet, Paras, Gasskamus and Barras).

In Sweden, it has been estimated that the population is around 1,000 individuals (Commission of the European Communities 2009) and the population trend is stable. In Norway, the population at Markusfjellet has approximately 1,000 individuals and the other populations are smaller. The overall number of mature individuals is between 250 and 1,000 in Norway. The overall population is declining (Artsdatabanken 2010).

In Sweden, only the species Papaver radicatum has been assessed as Near Threatened and is protected (ArtDatabanken 2010). In Norway, it is classed as Vulnerable B1a(ii)b(iii)+2a(ii)b(iii); D1 (Artsdatabanken 2010).

Commission of the European Communities. 2009. Composite Report on the Conservation Status of Habitat Types and Species as required under Article 17 of the Habitats Directive. Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. Brussels.